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News Release from: The Forum of Private Business
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 December 2006
Navigating the UK employment laws
'minefield'
Launch of an employment guide will help many smaller firms, which are struggling to find the right advice that is catered specifically for them and not the bigger businesses.
Employment law is a growing concern for small and medium-sized businesses and a minefield for their owners and managers In 2006, potentially explosive regulations on age discrimination and maternity leave were introduced
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 13 Sep 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Many smaller firms struggle to find the right advice that is catered specifically for them and not those bigger businesses, complete with Human Resources departments.
As a consequence, they can feel overwhelmed and unsupported.
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The FPB has this week launched the latest edition of its Employment Guide, produced to ease the burden for employers and help prevent costly tribunals.
Len Collinson is the National Chairman of the FPB and said that, for the smaller firm, employment law can be a real nightmare.
"The owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses rely on informality and closeness to employees in the running of their firm.
Employment regulations tend to mean paperwork, records and outside interventions." The complex nature of rules and regulations that must be adhered to, often to a degree difficult for a smaller company with limited resources, means there is a greater risk of non-compliance, even with the best intentions.
"Misunderstandings can lead to costly and disruptive consequences," added Collinson.
Keith Chetwynd of RK Engineering in Atherstone, Warwickshire, is a member of the FPB and said he is drowning in employment law.
"It stops me from wanting to employ people, unless it is absolutely necessary.
This is my business, started 25 years ago, and we are now fighting stiff competition from abroad whilst struggling with more and more regulations at home.
Employment law is difficult and you are left wondering whether or not you have got it right.
The fear of tribunals and then subsequent appeals make you feel wary every day." The FPB's Employment Guide, now into its eighth edition, gives you the help you need to implement the law in your workplace.
Produced in conjunction with the TUC, the Guide gives you all the information you need, from recruitment through to dismissal, to help you avoid industrial tribunals and unfair dismissal claims, and maintain positive workplace relations.
Collinson said that it is specifically catered for smaller businesses.
"The FPB's guide is especially useful because it is put together in a way that recognises the problems and opportunities of running a smaller business." With a CD-Rom containing easy-to-use letter and contract templates, the FPB's Employment Guide helps you get it right with the minimum of fuss and effort.
You can maintain the right balance with your employees, and make your business more secure and more profitable in the process.
* About The Forum of Private Business - The Forum of Private Business (FPB) was formed in 1977 and is a pressure group fighting on behalf of private businesses.
The FPB represents approximately 25,000 UK-based businesses, which employ in excess of 600,000 people.
We are active in the European Commission's social dialogue and are representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises in this country and in the European Union.
The FPB has a permanent agent in Brussels, who is supported by an all-party group of MEPs.
The FPB also provides a range of business services aimed at increasing member efficiency and profitability.
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